The World Series of Pop Culture

The World Series of Pop Culture was a VH1 game show tournament program sponsored by Alltel Wireless, based on Entertainment Weekly's Pop Culture Quiz. Sixteen teams, comprising three people each, compete to determine which team, collectively, knows the most about elements of popular culture. One of the teams each season was made up of three qualifiers selected on the basis of a test over the internet; the three internet qualifiers had no other connection to each other. Tapings for the first season took place in New York City from April 29 - April 30, 2006 at the Ziegfeld Theater. A wide range of topics are covered such as movies, music, TV and other miscellaneous pop culture. The top prize was $250,000. The show began on July 10, 2006, and the finale aired on Thursday, August 3, 2006. The hosts were Pat Kiernan and Lisa Guerrero. The second season of the show premiered on July 9, 2007. Auditions for the second season were held in January and February, and the tapings took place on March 22 and 23 at the Grand Ballroom of the Manhattan Center. There were two online qualification tests that season which took place on February 14 and February 20. Kiernan returned as host, with season 1 competitors "Cheetara" replacing Guerrero as backstage interviewers.

Directed by Michael Davies, The World Series of Pop Culture leans on a strong ensemble — Lisa Guerrero — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The series landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about screen titles of 2006.